SCIENCE TALK: Wetland Ecology In Colorado With A Side Of Beaver

Wetlands are often called the kidneys of the planet. But what is a wetland exactly? Everyone can recognize a swamp. Most people even know what a cattail looks like. In Colorado, wetlands can look and function very differently than those in much wetter parts of the world. Becky will talk about the ecology of wetlands and the landscapes of Colorado, where some of the rarest wetlands can be found. She will (hopefully) surprise you with stories and photos from her career as a wetland biologist with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Why would CDOT need a wetland biologist?

Becky will also share how CDOT and others are more often working with beaver instead of against them during infrastructure projects. She will talk about new methods of restoring beaver habitat, the benefits of restoring beaver habitat, and how Colorado is improving the chances that beaver coexistence strategies will be used instead of lethal methods.